Here's to a New Year...

That was the message at church on Sunday and is so exactly my feelings as we close out the past year. Looking back on 2017, I am truly thankful. Thankful for every feeling felt, every joy experienced and every hardship endured. I am thankful for the Lord stirring my heart to lean in and listen to Him more and the world less. I am thankful for each person He brought into my life this year and the friendships He has deepened. I am thankful for each person the Lord has prompted to come to our retreats that we get to love on and share such a beautiful experience with. So very thankful for it all.

I look forward to 2018 with hope because I know that true HOPE is in Jesus and He will never fail us. I look forward to 2018 as a year that is going to stretch me(and my family) in new ways that will not be easy. But I know the Lord is directing it all and will be there every step, and in every day. This past year we heard friends telling us they prayed such BIG prayers that they knew only God could do them... and we thank God for those bold examples of faith that lead us to do the same.

The pastor ended his sermon today with this:“You won’t be who God wants you to be without being stretched.”

I think that may be my #onlittleword for 2018.

So as we end 2017, my prayer is we all grow to love God completely, to love people authentically, and we learn to lean in closer to hear His loving voice calling us to Him.